Petroleum Resources Act (amended)

BILL NO. 6

(as introduced)

2nd Session, 62nd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
63 Elizabeth II, 2014

Government Bill

Petroleum Resources Act
(amended)

The Honourable Andrew Younger
Minister of Energy

First Reading: September 30, 2014

(Explanatory Note)

Second Reading: October 20, 2014

Third Reading: November 14, 2014 (LINK TO BILL AS PASSED)

Explanatory Note

This Bill

(a) prohibits high-volume hydraulic fracturing in shale unless exempted by regulation for the purpose of testing or research; and

(b) authorizes the Minister responsible for the Petroleum Resources Act to conduct a review of high-volume hydraulic fracturing and, where the Minister conducts a review, outlines the matters to be considered in the review.

An Act to Amend Chapter 342
of the Revised Statutes, 1989,
the Petroleum Resources Act

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 Chapter 342 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Petroleum Resources Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 11 the following Sections:

11A (1) In this Section and in clause 27(1)(ta), "high-volume hydraulic fracturing" means high-volume hydraulic fracturing as defined by the regulations.

(2) No person shall engage in high-volume hydraulic fracturing in shale formations unless exempted by the regulations for the purpose of testing or research.

11B (1) The Minister may review the prohibition under Section 11A.

(2) Where the Minister reviews the prohibition, the Minister shall consider the net benefit to Nova Scotians, taking into account

(a) social issues;

(b) economic issues;

(d environmental issues;

(e) scientific and technical issues;

(f) regulatory effectiveness and efficiency; and

(g) any other matter or thing that the Minister considers necessary or advisable.

2 Subsection 27(1) of Chapter 342, as amended by Chapter 12 of the Acts of 2000, is further amended by adding immediately after clause (t) the following clauses:

(ta) defining high-volume hydraulic fracturing;

(tb) providing, for the purpose of testing and research, exemptions from the prohibition on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, subject to such terms and conditions as are prescribed;

3 This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation.

This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2014 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created November 14, 2014. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.

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